Shannen Doherty: ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ & ‘Charmed’ Star Passes Away At 53

Shannen Doherty, who captivated audiences as Brenda Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210,” passed away on Saturday, July 13, after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer.

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She was 53 years old.

“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease,” said Doherty’s publicist Leslie Sloane.

Shannen was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, achieving remission two years later.

However, in February 2020, court documents revealed her cancer had returned and advanced to Stage 4, becoming incurable.

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Despite the grim prognosis, Shannen Doherty remained a beacon of strength and resilience.

“It’s a bitter pill to swallow in a lot of ways,” Shannen told “Good Morning America” at the time.

“There are definitely days where I say, ‘Why me?’ And then I go, ‘Well, why not me? Who else besides me deserves this?’ None of us do.”

In June 2023, Doherty shared an emotional Instagram post revealing that her cancer had metastasized to her brain earlier in the year.

“On January 5th, my scan showed Mets in my brain,” she wrote.

Despite her fear and the timing of the diagnosis, she continued to face her illness with bravery.

“But that fear…. The turmoil….. the timing of it all…. This is what cancer can look like,” she candidly expressed.

Born on April 12, 1971, in Memphis, Tennessee, Shannen Doherty’s journey to Hollywood began early.

She made her acting debut at age 10 in “Father Murphy” and quickly caught the eye of Michael Landon, who cast her in “Little House on the Prairie.”

Shannen’s career flourished with roles in “Our House” and the cult classic “Heathers.”

However, it was her role as Brenda Walsh on “Beverly Hills, 90210” that catapulted her to stardom.

As the show became a cultural phenomenon, Doherty’s portrayal of Brenda resonated with a generation of viewers.

Despite her on-screen success, she garnered a reputation for being difficult to work with, which overshadowed her talent and led to her departure from the show after four seasons.

“She became a metaphorical reality-TV star before there were actual reality-TV stars,” said Robert Thompson, Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture director at Syracuse University.

Shannen’s off-screen persona often made headlines, adding to her complex legacy.

After leaving “90210,” Shannen continued to act in films and reunited with Aaron Spelling for a role in “Charmed.”

Her portrayal of Prue Halliwell rekindled her magic for three seasons before she exited the series.

Alyssa Milano, her “Charmed” co-star, reflected on their relationship following Doherty’s passing.

“It’s no secret that Shannen and I had a complicated relationship, but at its core was someone I deeply respected and was in awe of,” Milano said. “She was a talented actress, beloved by many, and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her.”

In later years, Doherty explored reality television and reprised her role as Brenda Walsh in the 2008 reboot “90210” and the 2019 dramedy “BH90210.”

Despite personal struggles, including three divorces, Shannen’s friends noted a mellowing with age and a return to the role that defined her career.

Shannen Doherty’s life and career were marked by incredible highs and profound lows.

She leaves behind a legacy of talent, strength, and indomitable spirit.

Her passing is a reminder of the bravery with which she faced her battles and her impact on fans and colleagues alike.

She is the second major cast member from “Beverly Hills, 90210” to die young, following Luke Perry‘s death in March 2019.

Rest in peace, Shannen Doherty.

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